Merit School kicks it up at 'Music Counts' gala

Tony Anderson, vice-chair at Ernst & Young LLP and gala chair, surrounded by students in Merit music programs, which reach nearly 6,000 students in Chicago.

The sound of music will fill the air Wednesday night at Merit School of Music's annual gala. On tap to perform: Merit grad Shawn Edmonds, who is a former Count Basie Orchestra trumpeter, and dozens of Merit students. The annual gala, a cocktail-dress affair, is the West Side school's biggest fundraiser. This year's event is expected to gross $750,000 to fund scholarships that many Merit students need. Ernst & Young LLP is the gala's presenting sponsor; the gala chair is Tony Anderson, Ernst & Young vice-chair and Midwest managing partner. Crain's spoke to Mr. Anderson, 55, about Merit and his own love of music:

CRAIN'S: Why did you decide to chair this gala?

MR. ANDERSON: I didn't know Merit existed when I was asked. The two people who asked me were Ken Pigott (managing partner, Vaduz Partners LLC) and Dick Kiphart (head of William Blair & Co.'s Private Client Investors). I know them from another board I sit on (Lyric Opera of Chicago). I went out to the school, and when I saw what they were doing with the kids, I agreed to participate. I got to see what they were doing with kids and lower-income communities, and it just blew me away.

What is your own musical background?

When I was growing up, I played organ, trumpet and drums. And my parents insisted on my playing. I always thought, when you watch people who have been really successful in life, it's not uncommon to see that the arts have played a role in their life. I've been attracted to it — that's why I'm on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra board and the Lyric board.

Tell us more about Merit.

It's a unique gem right in the middle of our city. They serve nearly 6,000 students. They do in-school programs at their facility and offer instruction across the board: piano, strings, guitar. A lot of famous people have come out of there. Anthony McGill, principal clarinet at the Metropolitan Opera. Another would be Joshua Ramos, who plays bass for the Ramsey Lewis Trio.

Merit School of Music "Music Counts" Gala Benefit

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Place

How much: $500 and up

Who'll be there: 500 business people, philanthropists and music lovers

Merit's had their challenges. Their major fundraiser is this gala, and so it becomes very important to be successful at it. It represents 25% of their revenue. Merit gives out $3 million in scholarships and financial aid. Think about that for a second — that money is extraordinarily important for them. We'll do OK this year. We'll have 500 people attending the gala. That took a lot of work to get done.

Is it even more important, given how arts funding has been cut from schools?

That's my view. The arts have been substantially eliminated from public schools. There aren't many places kids can go. That's how Merit got started in 1979. It's filling an important role for our young people.

Tell us about the party.

Throughout the evening, kids will be playing. It's really spectacular — kids no more than 4 feet tall playing instruments that will blow you away. And they will honor Kay and Jim Mabie (principal, William Blair & Co.), who have been big supporters of Merit and the arts around the city. Between the kids and Jim and Kay, there will be a lot to celebrate.